** Quintessential Crockett & Jones Thread ** (reviews, quality, etc...)

[Wild Strawberry Rabbit]

 

[CWL317]

I am considering the dark brown Audley... would welcome opinions about it from existing owners. Does it come pre-burnished? And how does it compare to Connaught/Connaught2?

Ok since no one replied I’m replying to my own question lol...
So I drove to C&J in Birmingham to take a look for myself. Unfortunately they said they didn’t have the Audley in Dark Brown and neither did their other store there. However they had the Audley in Black and I asked for the Connaught to compared next to it. Superficially they look almost identical. I think I’ll go to London next week to take a look at the Dark Brown with a view to purchase.

 

[Wild Strawberry Rabbit]

Audley is from handgrade line, Connaught is from main line. Handgrade line has nicer leather, closed channel sole and nicer lasts. IMO get Audley. Not that benchgrade C&J are bad, but handgrade are just better shoes, especially because of leather quality - handgrade is noticeably better and the price difference is quite low.

 

[Edmund K]

Audley is from handgrade line, Connaught is from main line. Handgrade line has nicer leather, closed channel sole and nicer lasts. IMO get Audley. Not that benchgrade C&J are bad, but handgrade are just better shoes, especially because of leather quality - handgrade is noticeably better and the price difference is quite low.

Totally agree. Definitely go with handgrade if the styles are similar and it is worth spending that extra $ on a classic model like Audley. This is going to last you a long time.

 

[CWL317]

Thanks guys. Think I’ll get the Audley. I’d better go to London quick before they get closed by any second Covid lockdown!

 

[saurabh]

C&J Skye 3 today.

 

[stephenaf2003]

C&J Skye 3 today.

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I like this boot so much, and I don’t have any explanation why. Maybe it’s because it fits so well, my foot really works in this last....Nope, I really liked it before I owned it, I dunno, I just really like it.

 

[saurabh]

I like this boot so much, and I don’t have any explanation why. Maybe it’s because it fits so well, my foot really works in this last....Nope, I really liked it before I owned it, I dunno, I just really like it.

Haha thanks I agree with you it’s a fantastic boot. Fit is really good and the chestnut burnished color is very nice too.

 

[Evergreen88]

When is the winter collection coming out? I feel like it was at the beginning of September last year, I might be wrong though.

 

[andiandi]

Whisky today!

 

[CWL317]

Totally agree. Definitely go with handgrade if the styles are similar and it is worth spending that extra $ on a classic model like Audley. This is going to last you a long time.

Thanks for the consensus opinions. Well I bought the Audley today from C&J Royal Exchange. I had the chance to compare the Connaught & Connaught 2 which are very similar, in fact I preferred the slightly lighter brown of the Connaught. Royal Exchange is a small store and a little way out unless you work in banking, but they are friendly folk

The Audley is a very dark brown (almost black in artificial light indoors. Somewhat to my surprise there is very little visible burnishing or antiquing to it, as far as I can see. Maybe that’s a good thing as it might be better for it to naturally patina with wear. I cannot fault the leather and detailing. It’s more elongated at the toe compared to the Connaught. I’m going to give it a good burnishing polish before I wear it.

 

[vmss]

Thanks for the consensus opinions. Well I bought the Audley today from C&J Royal Exchange. I had the chance to compare the Connaught & Connaught 2 which are very similar, in fact I preferred the slightly lighter brown of the Connaught. Royal Exchange is a small store and a little way out unless you work in banking, but they are friendly folk

The Audley is a very dark brown (almost black in artificial light indoors. Somewhat to my surprise there is very little visible burnishing or antiquing to it, as far as I can see. Maybe that’s a good thing as it might be better for it to naturally patina with wear. I cannot fault the leather and detailing. It’s more elongated at the toe compared to the Connaught. I’m going to give it a good burnishing polish before I wear it.

can you provide us with side to side pictures of Audley and connaught?

 

[CWL317]

can you provide us with side to side pictures of Audley and connaught?

I compared them next to each other in the store. I didn’t take pictures (sorry). They are quite similar, except the Connaught is more rounded and the Audley is sleeker and more elongated with a chiseled toe. I also looked at the Hallam which is also chiseled , the assistant store manager said the Hallam is more chiseled than the Audley.

 

[CWL317]

Btw the assistant manager there wore a fine pair of black shoes, I asked him and he said it was the Balfour derby, which I see retails at £765. Nice!

 

[GeorgePaul]

Btw the assistant manager there wore a fine pair of black shoes, I asked him and he said it was the Balfour derby, which I see retails at £765. Nice!

I just ordered a pair of Balfour derbys in black today, from the C&J store in NY.